Examination of the basic principles of the classical biomechanical model using load transfer in knee joint as an example. Critical literature review

Item

Title
Examination of the basic principles of the classical biomechanical model using load transfer in knee joint as an example. Critical literature review
Author(s)
Zeki, S
Abstract
Aim: Biomechanics form the theoretical base of osteopathy regarding how the body works and how forces are transferred through the body. The aim of this review is to examine the theoretical basis of biomechanics and to assess the quality of biomechanical research. Method: The basic theoretical principles of biomechanics will be compared with statics. Also the application of these theoretical principles in practical biomechanical research will be reviewed. Finally, a comparison will be carried out between mechanical tissues strength values and calculated forces on the knee during weightlifting to ascertain whether the tissues can sustain the "quoted" force values. Mechanics and biomechanics books were used in addition to biomechanical research peer reviewed articles. Discussion: The theoretical principles of the biomechanical model are based on Newtonian principles. Biomechanics use statics for analyzing internal forces in the body as a response to applied external loads. However, the biomechanical model appears not to take the whole body into consideration when trying to resolve forces around a specific joint. Instead it assumes equilibrium and statical determinacy at the joint/s concerned only. Also the biomechanical definition of statical determinacy differs to that of statics.Tissues mechanical properties have been investigated by biomechanical research for a long time. However, most of the tests use in vitro samples where the specific tissue of interest is isolated and then tested. There are difficulties associated with material testing that are not easy to overcome. These difficulties tend to influence the values obtained from the tests with regard to reliability and variability. Some of the difficulties highlighted in the review are related to methods of preserving and preparing the samples prior to testing, testing methods, interpretation of results, the type of tissue tested and finally, the inherent non linearity of biological tissues. Review of 3 research papers concerned with calculating forces on the knee during weighlifting showed that simplifications had to be assumed in the model of the knee in order to be able to resolve the unknown internal forces of the knee tissues such as forces in quadriceps, patellar tendon and compression force on the tibia. Also, although all the reviewed papers used the Free Body Diagram method, each paper differed in the basic assumptions of the model. Conclusions: The theoretical principles of biomechanics do not fully comply with statics. This issue needs to be explored further. The simplifications in methodology used in biomechanical experiments lead to inaccurate results of the forces generated in the tissues. In addition, the simplified models do not represent actual, real body tissues response to loading. Some of the force valuescalculated appeared to be too large for the tissues to sustain and they may be incorrect.The biomechanical research model may not be sufficiently robust to be considered
as the gold standard in the field Keywords used: Statical determinacy, mechanics Free Body Diagram
Tissue properties Muscles, tendons, bones Knee biomechanics, knee forces Weight lifting, power lifting
presented at
European School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted
2012
Date Submitted
22.1.2013 16:23:35
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
15250
Inst-Identifier
1229
Keywords
Biomechanical model, load transfer, Knee joint, Classical model.
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Zeki, S, “Examination of the basic principles of the classical biomechanical model using load transfer in knee joint as an example. Critical literature review”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/815